Garage Rockers the Feed Pick Their Five Favorite T. Rex Songs

Most band hiatuses signal an end of an era. But for St. Louis-based garage rockers the Feed, their break was an opportunity to regroup, enlist a new member and move toward a stronger musical identity. "[There is] more mature songwriting and a better concept of what we sound like," basisst Ben Reece tells us.

The band's latest single, 'Outsider,' points toward this new direction. "Lyrically, a lot of the record is about trying to connect to something or someone that’s rooted in a much more conventional world than your soul can take," frontman Dave Grelle says.

Give a listen to 'Outsider' below:

The Feed's upcoming album was recorded over one whirlwind weekend in their hometown. Wearing their "heroes on our sleeves," the album bears the influences of everyone from Tom Waits and the Police to Prince and Thelonius Monk.

But the biggest inspiration? Seventies glam rockers T. Rex. "T. Rex is one of our favorite bands," Grelle says. "When I originally wrote [the song 'Rexy'], I didn’t have a name for it. So we just called it 'Rexy,' figuring we’d come up with something later. We never did."

The band took some time out of their schedule to share their five favorite T. Rex songs with us.

'Mambo Sun'

"We all love this jam," says Grelle. "This is such an infectious groove that doesn’t necessarily go anywhere else … and doesn’t even need to. Our first single off the new record, 'Rexy,' is probably most inspired by this Marc Bolan jam."

'Children of the Revolution'

“'I drive a Rolls-Royce cause it’s good for my voice'” is one of the lyrics. Enough said!" says drummer Kevin Bowers.

'Jitterbug Love'

"Mix that nasty guitar, the signature Marc Bolan 'yeahs' throughout the tune, the super-high-pitched background vocals and those classic Tony Visconti super-warm, slappy drums with one of the most abrupt tempo changes in rock history and gold," says Grelle.

'Thunderwing'

"This song has all the qualities of T.Rex that I love: great vocals, great riff, hand claps," says Reece. "It's also proof that a good rock song can feature saxophone and swing."

'20th Century Boy'

"[The song] has all the T. Rex goodies: a fat, fuzzy riff, some lyrics of uncertain meaning, killer hand claps and percussion, and the female vocals that make it all into a groovy, psychedelic church party," says guitarist Jordan Heimburger.